• By Mabel Pais

“Let me wear the day

Well so when it reaches you

You will enjoy it.”

Sonia Sanchez

“This is not a small voice you hear / this is a large voice coming out of these cities.”

– Sonia Sanchez

Celebrate one of the most important writers and scholars of the Black Arts Movement, SONIA SANCHEZ. Throughout a distinguished career of 70+ years, her poetry has rocked the spoken-word scene and our nation. Join NJPAC as it gives well-deserved flowers to this revolutionary voice of activism, Black identity and social justice. Sanchez will take the stage, along with special guests the Christian McBride Trio, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Saul Williams, Mahogany L. Browne and The Last Poets at the NJPAC’s Victoria Theater on June 1 at 3 pm.

“This world is a better place because of Sonia Sanchez: more livable, more laughable, more manageable. I wish millions of people knew that some of the joy in their lives comes from the fact that Sonia Sanchez is writing poetry.” – Maya Angelou

“Sonia Sanchez is a lion in literature’s forest. When she writes she roars, and when she sleeps other creatures walk gingerly.” – Maya Angelou.

“Only a poet with an innocent heart can exorcise so much pain with so much beauty.” – Isabel Allende

“In all her words, Sanchez grabs your heart.” – Vibe

Sonia Sanchez — poet, activist, scholar — was the Laura Carnell Professor of English and Women’s Studies at Temple University. She is the recipient of both the Robert Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime service to American poetry and the Langston Hughes Poetry Award. One of the most important writers of the Black Arts Movement, Sanchez is the author of sixteen books.  Motherhood heavily influenced the motifs of her poetry in the 1970s, with the bonds between mother and child emerging as a key theme.

National and International lecturer on Black Culture and Literature, Women’s Liberation, Peace and Racial Justice. Sponsor of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Board Member of MADRE (international human rights organization).

AUTHOR

Sonia Sanchez is the author of over 16 books including ‘Homecoming,’ ‘We a BaddDDD People,’ ‘Love Poems,’ ‘I’ve Been a Woman,’ ‘Morning Haiku’ and more. More titles can be accessed at Beacon Press (beacon.org).

In addition to being a contributing editor to ‘Black Scholar’ and ‘The Journal of African Studies,’ she has edited an anthology, ‘We Be Word Sorcerers: 25 Stories by Black Americans.’ ‘BMA: The Sonia Sanchez Literary Review’ is the first African American Journal that discusses the work of Sonia Sanchez and the Black Arts Movement.

The Stella Adler Center for the Arts (stellaadler.com) decided to name its arts theater after Sonia Sanchez.

AWARDS

Sonia Sanchez is the recipient of numerous awards: National Endowment for the Arts, Outstanding Arts Award from the Pennsylvania Coalition of 100 Black Women;Community Service Award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators; Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Humanities; Peace and Freedom Award from Women International League for Peace and Freedom (W.I.L.P.F.); PEW Fellowship in the Arts; the Langston Hughes Poetry Award; 2022 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award! and more.

She is the Poetry Society of America’s 2001 Robert Frost Medalist and a Ford Freedom Scholar from the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Her poetry also appeared in the movie ‘Love Jones.’ Sonia Sanchez has lectured at over 500 universities and colleges in the United States and has traveled extensively, reading her poetry in Africa, Cuba, England, the Caribbean, Australia, Europe, Nicaragua, the People’s Republic of China, Norway, and Canada. She was the first Presidential Fellow at Temple University and she held the Laura Carnell Chair in English at Temple University.

POETRY

She is the Poetry Society of America’s 2001 Robert Frost Medalist and a Ford Freedom Scholar from Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Her poetry also appeared in the movie ‘Love Jones.’ Sonia Sanchez has lectured at over 500 universities and colleges in the United States and has traveled extensively, reading her poetry in Africa, Cuba, England, the Caribbean, Australia, Europe, Nicaragua, the People’s Republic of China, Norway, and Canada. She was the first Presidential Fellow at Temple University and she held the Laura Carnell Chair in English at Temple University. She is the recipient of the Harper Lee Award, Alabama Distinguished Writer, and the National Visionary Leadership Award. Sonia Sanchez is one of 20 African American women featured in ‘Freedom Sisters,’ an interactive exhibition created by the Cincinnati Museum Center and Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition and she was the recipient of the Robert Creeley award.

MOTHER

Sonia Sanchez, a renowned poet, activist, and professor, also identifies as a mother. Motherhood significantly influenced her writing, particularly in the 1970s, with the bonds between mother and child becoming a prominent theme in her poetry. Learn more about Sonia Sanchez at soniasanchez.net.

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WHO IS READY TO EXPLORE THE WORLD OF FILM, TELEVISION & ENTERTAINMENT?

By Mabel Pais

Are you a young artist (aged 13 – 18) who is ready to explore the world of film, television and entertainment? Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Career Day at NJPAC designed to connect with industry professionals and ignite your creative journey!

What’s Happening?

Join the NJPAC Center for Arts Education (24 Rector St, Newark, NJ 07102) for a day of exciting, hands-on film and TV master classes — led by industry pros eager to share insider tips, techniques and inspiration. Whether you’re a performer, designer or musician, there’s something for you.

Learn. Create. Connect. Get Inspired.

MORNING SESSIONS | 10:30AM – 12PM

Choose one:

The Actor & Director: Acting for Film

Led by Hollywood Film Director Nicole Thompson

Learn what directors want, and how to build your acting reel

Music & Movies: Exploring the Film Score

Led by Latin GRAMMY® Award-nominated Composer Andrés Soto

Discover how music brings film to life, and explore your sound

LUNCH BREAK | 12 – 1PM

Enjoy pizza and explore resource tables packed with information on schools, training programs and career paths in film and TV.

FREE Headshots

Headshots with professional photographer Dashong (limited appointments available from 12 – 4PM)

AFTERNOON SESSIONS | 1 – 3PM

Choose one:

Behind the Scenes: Scenic Design

Led by Newark-based Scenic Designer Jeffrey Osborne

Dive into set design, faux finishes and behind-the-scenes careers

Hip Hop Cypher & Music Video Workshop

Led by Unicorn 151

Explore emceeing, music production and dance — and learn how it all comes together on film

Opening Remarks at 10AM by Ed Hajim

Philanthropist and founder of NJPAC’s Ed Hajim Professional Readiness Education program

NJPAC Arts Education

Learn more at njpac.org/arts-education.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Business, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, and Cuisine)